Skip to main content

Tag: pla

34 articles

PLA officers in formal attire discuss military operations around a conference table with a large Middle East map and…

China's PLA Analyzes Iran War to Refine Modern Warfare Concepts

The People's Liberation Army is rethinking modern warfare after studying the Iran conflict, where they saw a shift from traditional battles to a complex game of networked competition. This new approach, dubbed "systems competition," focuses on distributed command and integrated strategies.

Analyst 207
Type 56 85mm anti-tank gun positioned defensively in rugged mountainous terrain.

PLA Photos Reveal 1980s Border Deployment

Two vintage PLA propaganda photos have surfaced, offering a fascinating glimpse into China's border deployment in the 1980s, featuring a Type 56 85 mm anti-tank gun that was a staple of the PLA's arsenal for decades. By analyzing the images, one can uncover clues that pinpoint the time and location of the photos.

Analyst 207
Chinese military artillery launcher positioned in a daytime setting with rolling hills and partly cloudy sky.

China's Elite Artillery Brigade Upgrades With Advanced PHL-191 Rocket System

China's elite artillery brigade has just leveled up with the cutting-edge PHL-191 rocket system, marking a new era for a unit with a storied 80-year history that dates back to the 1950s when it first introduced Katyusha rockets to the PLA.

Analyst 207
CS/VP4 Mountain Cat ATV on rugged terrain with scattered trees and rocky incline.

PLA's Mountain Cat ATV Evolves with Expanded Doctrine

Meet the CS/VP4 "Mountain Cat" ATV, a game-changing mobility aid that's been defying expectations since 2008 with its lightweight, amphibious design and impressive capabilities. From humble beginnings as a simple, airdroppable vehicle to its current evolved form, the Mountain Cat has consistently proven itself to be "better-than-walking".

Analyst 207
Dongfeng Mengshi Warrior vehicle driving on a rural paved road with minimal buildings.

China's Mengshi Warrior Tests Autonomous Driving Capabilities

Meet the Mengshi Warrior, China's latest foray into autonomous driving, as spotted in a series of intriguing photos that suggest the People's Liberation Army is quietly expanding its tests of self-driving technology. The Dongfeng Mengshi Warrior's autonomous variant marks a significant development in China's military-linked autonomous vehicle conversation.

Analyst 207
Military aircraft on Pacific island runway with ocean and blue sky in background.

US Exposes Hypersonic Edge in Pacific Exercise

The US Air Force made a bold move in the Pacific, kicking off exercise PACIFIC ARCHER on June 17 with a rapid deployment of hypersonic-missile-equipped aircraft to the Second Island Chain, sending a clear message with its show of force.

Analyst 207
Advanced landing barge East Engineering 403 dockside in daylight.

China's PLA Unveils Advanced Landing Barges in Strategic Photos

Get a first look at China's PLA's latest game-changer: the advanced landing barge, East Engineering 403, revealed in stunning strategic photos. This sleek vessel's name holds secrets about its fleet and function, decoded through PLAN naming conventions.

Analyst 207
Chinese Coast Guard personnel stand at attention on a vessel deck, holding rifles in a tight phalanx formation.

China Coast Guard Adopts Heavy Infantry Tactics for Naval Combat

The Chinese Coast Guard is ramping up its naval combat tactics by adopting a heavy infantry approach, essentially turning sea battles into land battles by using long pikes, tight ranks, and a wall of shields to hold ground. This phalanx-style strategy marks a significant shift in their doctrine and equipment.

Analyst 207
A tactical truck with a warning banner is parked on a test range in Inner Mongolia under a clear sky.

China's PLA Upgrades Logistics with Heated Troop Transport

The People's Liberation Army is taking its logistics to the next level with cutting-edge upgrades, including the development of heated troop transport vehicles, like the modified Shaanxi Auto HMV3 truck. This high-tech heavy-duty vehicle is being tested as an unmanned platform in Inner Mongolia, showcasing China's push for autonomous military capabilities.

Analyst 207
Soldiers in camouflage scan the horizon with binoculars and a rangefinder from a rugged coastal defense position.

PLA Ground Force Maintains Coastal Defense Presence

With a legacy rooted in intense coastal battles, including the pivotal 1953 Battle of Dongshan Island, China's PLA Ground Force maintains a formidable presence along its coastlines, boasting an estimated 100,000-plus personnel across over 50 border and coastal defense brigades. This extensive setup underscores the army's enduring commitment to safeguarding its shores.

Analyst 207
Soldier in camouflage gear holding portable anti-drone net-launcher unit outdoors.

PLA Unveils Portable Anti-Drone Net-Launcher for Infantry Squads

The PLA has introduced a game-changing, portable anti-drone net-launcher that's small enough for infantry squads to carry, complete with jamming capabilities to take down enemy drones. This compact unit is set to revolutionize the way troops handle drone threats on the battlefield.

Analyst 207
China's PLA Embeds Tactical Air Control Teams

China's PLA Embeds Tactical Air Control Teams

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has made significant strides in air-ground integration, with tactical air control teams now seamlessly coordinating with air force aircraft to execute precision strikes. This capability, showcased in recent cross-service training exercises, enables ground teams to guide fighter jets to targets using advanced technology like laser designators and secure datalinks.

Analyst 207
Newly appointed Chinese generals gather at a promotion ceremony at the Central Military Commission headquarters.

Xi Jinping Reshapes China's Military Leadership Amid Purge Fallout

In a significant move, China's military leadership has been reshaped with the promotion of two lieutenant generals to full general, amid a backdrop of sweeping purges that have rocked the People's Liberation Army. On July 3, Zhang Shuguang and Wang Gang were elevated to their new roles, marking a major shift in the PLA's top ranks.

Analyst 207
Briefing room with podium, empty screen, and chairs against a neutral background.

China Exposes US Military's Strategic Weaknesses in Iran Conflict Analysis

A recent memo from China's People's Liberation Army reveals that the US military's strengths in tactical execution are overshadowed by strategic weaknesses, leaving it vulnerable in conflicts like the one with Iran. The analysis exposes five key flaws, including diplomatic isolation and self-inflicted damage through information ecosystems.

Analyst 207
Chinese unmanned ground vehicle with flamethrower on barren terrain.

China's PLA Deploys Flamethrowers on Unmanned Ground Vehicles

China's PLA is supercharging its unmanned ground vehicles with flamethrowers, combining the brutal power of the Type 74 flamethrower with the cutting-edge ZRY222 Unmanned Ground Equipment platform for a safer, more lethal combo. This game-changing tech allows soldiers to clear trenches and bunkers from a safe distance, minimizing risk to personnel.

Analyst 207
J-15 fighter jet being refueled by Y-20A tanker on a runway.

China's J-15 Fighter Expands Reach with Y-20A Tanker Refueling

China just took a major leap in its military capabilities, showcasing its J-15 fighter jet refueling mid-air from a Y-20A tanker - a game-changing advancement in aerial reach and endurance. This remarkable footage was quietly released in a recent People's Daily YouTube video.

Analyst 207
Z-20T assault helicopter on a helipad in a high-altitude mountainous region with rugged terrain and buildings in the…

China Bolsters Tibet Aviation with Z-20T Assault Helicopters

China is strengthening its aviation capabilities in Tibet with the deployment of Z-20T assault helicopters, adding to its existing fleet of over 300 imported Mi-17/Mi-171-series helicopters. The 85th Army Aviation Brigade, based in Lhasa, has been at the forefront of this effort since its emergence in 2018.

Analyst 207
Missile launcher points skyward in desert landscape with military personnel nearby.

China Tests Advanced HQ-16F Missile as Pakistan Eyes Export Variant

China just took a major leap in its military tech with the first live-fire test of its advanced HQ-16F missile, showcasing its impressive range and precision in a desert trial over 1,000 km from its home base. The successful intercept of an airborne target at 50 km range marks a significant milestone in the development of this cutting-edge weapon.

Analyst 207
PAP soldier operates QJZ171 heavy machine gun during border-patrol drills in rugged terrain.

China's Military Deploys QJZ171 Heavy Machine Gun

Meet the QJZ171, a game-changing 12.7×108mm heavy machine gun that's remarkably portable at just 26.4 pounds, and is now being deployed across multiple Chinese services, including the People's Armed Police, to pack a serious punch in border-patrol drills. This powerful yet lightweight gun is set to significantly up the intimidation factor for units patrolling remote frontier stretches.

Analyst 207
Armored vehicles maneuver across a vast, open plain in a military exercise.

Armor Tactics Evolve as FPV Drones Redefine Battlefield Dynamics

The online debate rages on: could a US Armored Division take down a PLA combined-arms brigade in a showdown on open plains? But the truth is, geography and logistics play a much bigger role in battle strategy than fantasy matchups.

Analyst 207
Blurry military vehicle chassis with seven road wheels on a Chinese testing grounds.

China Unveils Possible Next-Gen Heavy Tank Prototype

A mysterious blurry photo of a Chinese chassis has sparked excitement, featuring a notable seven road wheels, a design element that hints at a heavier and more powerful vehicle. This detail is particularly intriguing, as only one other PLA vehicle, the PLZ-05B 155 mm self-propelled howitzer, has been confirmed to have this seven-wheel setup.

Analyst 207
Armored vehicle on rugged terrain with snow-capped mountains in the background.

China Unveils Heated Armored Troop Transport for Tibetan Plateau

Meet China's latest game-changer for high-altitude warfare: an armored troop transport that can safely carry 22 fully armed soldiers across the rugged Tibetan Plateau in style and comfort. This cutting-edge vehicle boasts a heated, insulated cabin - a vital upgrade for troops battling harsh, cold environments.

Analyst 207
Military helicopter air-drops flexible oil bladder to stranded truck column in rural area.

China Unveils Advanced Flexible Oil Bladders for Military Logistics

Meet China's game-changing Flexible Oil Bladder, a helidrop-friendly solution that's keeping military forces moving with rapid-response deliveries, as seen in a recent Central China TV exercise where troops resupplied a stranded truck column. This simple yet ingenious gear is revolutionizing military logistics with its durable TPU construction and versatile design.

Analyst 207
QL550 armored vehicle showcased in a bright setting with sharp, angular design.

China's QL550 Armored Vehicle Exposes Air Mobility Tradeoffs

Meet the QL550, a sleek and futuristic armored vehicle from NORINCO that turns heads with its sharp design, hinting at a unique blend of battlefield capabilities and aircraft-inspired dimensions. This cutting-edge reconnaissance vehicle is specifically built to fit inside China's Y-9 aircraft, showcasing innovative design tradeoffs.

Analyst 207